Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Nicaragua

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Date of Detainment: December/20/2023

Date of Release: January/14/2024

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Criticizing Religious Freedom Conditions Religious Association Religious Belief Religious Expression Religious Figure & Religious Leadership Role Religious Freedom Advocacy Religious Identity

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Isidro Mora

Extra Bio Info:

Isidro Mora was detained for criticizing religious freedom conditions and for his religious leadership role.

On December 20, 2023, Nicaraguan police arrested Mora, a bishop from the diocese of Siuna, after he reportedly offered prayers for the wrongly imprisoned Bishop Rolando Álvarez during mass. Mora's arrest comes amid a crackdown on the Catholic Church in Nicaragua.

On January 14, 2024, Mora was released from prison and exiled to the Vatican.

Related cases: Rolando ÁlvarezAlester SáenzTony Palacios

Dec 19, 2023

USCIRF Releases New Report on Religious Freedom Conditions in Libya

Washington, D.C. – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the following new report:

Religious Freedom Conditions in Libya – This report provides an overview of concerning trends affecting freedom of religion or belief in Libya. Religious freedom and other human rights have suffered amid the country’s prolonged crisis of governance, in which the interim government in Tripoli and rival administrations based in eastern cities remain stalled on the path to long-postponed and critical elections. Authorities in both the west and east—as well as affiliated security actors and independent militias—have targeted for abuse and restricted the liberties of religious minorities, accused apostates and proselytizers, atheists, and people who have expressed dissenting interpretations of Islam. The report emphasizes Libya’s dire need for free and fair elections, a central government, and substantial constitutional and legislative reform to equip authorities and civil society to substantially improve freedom of religion or belief.  

In 2022, USCIRF demonstrated that governments with an official or favored religion, which include Libya, are far more likely than those without them to maintain laws restricting religious freedom and other human rights on the basis of religion. Libya also currently has anti-conversion legislation and blasphemy laws on the books.

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The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan federal government entity established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a commissioner, please contact USCIRF at [email protected]

Additional Name(s): Bhamo, འབའ་མོ

Gender: Unspecified

Perpetrator: China

Ethnic Group: Tibetan

Religion or Belief: Buddhist – Tibetan

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: August/24/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Adherence to a Religious Figure Attending a Religious Gathering or Meeting Praying Religious Activity

Nature of Charges: Unknown

Bamo

Extra Bio Info:

Bamo is detained for their religious activity.

On August 24, 2022, authorities in Seda (Serta) county, Ganzi (Kardze) Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (TAP), Sichuan province, detained five Tibetans, including Bamo, after they had lit incense for a religious ceremony and prayed for the Dalai Lama in public. Police allegedly tortured them as well.

Related Cases: GeloTsedoKori

Sources:
  • "Bamo" Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)